Robert Downey Jr. is returning to ‘Avengers’ films as a villain in 1 of Marvel's Comic-Con twists

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Marvel Studios returned to San Diego Comic-Con with dancing Deadpool variants and a choir for a panel that included news about the next two “Avengers” films and surprise guests, including Harrison Ford and Robert Downey Jr.

Downey is returning to Marvel's films, but not as Iron Man. He'll play the villain Victor Von Doom, or Doctor Doom, in at least one of the upcoming “Avengers” movies. Downey kicked off Marvel's movie successes in “Iron Man” and played the popular character in nine films, but on Saturday appeared wearing Dr. Doom's mask and a green cloak.

“New mask, same task," Downey said to frenzied cheers.

The Russo brothers, who will be directing the movie featuring Downey, said his appearance in the film is “proof of the unimaginable possibilities in the Marvel multi-universe.”

The reveal capped a jubilant return by Marvel to Comic-Con's Hall H.

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige kicked off the panel by saying that due to this weekend's success of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe had now topped $30 billion in box-office earnings. In a nod to a scene in the movie, a choir sang Madonna's “Like a Prayer” before Feige spoke.

“Deadpool & Wolverine,” released Thursday, has already broken one record and could shatter more in its opening weekend. Feige used Saturday's panel to chart the course ahead for the MCU, revealing Ford's character in the next “Captain America” film and revealing “Avengers: Secret Wars and “Avengers: Doomsday” as the titles of the next two films in the epic superhero team-up series. “Doomsday” will hit theaters in 2026.

Feige said all the actors introduced Saturday would appear in the upcoming “Avengers” movies, which will be directed by Joe and Anthony Russo. The brothers guided the “Avengers” franchise through its sprawling storyline capped by “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019 that included the death of Downey's Tony Stark/Iron Man character.

“When we directed ”Avengers: Endgame," Joe and I truly believed that it was the end of the road for us in the Marvel Cinematic Universe because we had put all of our passion, our love, our imagination into “The Winter Soldier,” into “Civil War,” into “Infinity War,” climaxing all of it with “Avengers: Endgame,” Anthony Russo said. “That four movie run was incredible and it left us creatively spent with all of our emotions on the film. In the time since, through a very special story, Joe and I have come to potentially see a road forward with you.”

They called “Secret Wars” the “biggest story that Marvel Comics ever told,” and Joe said it was the first comic book run he read as a child that made him “fall in love with comics.”

Saturday's session comes after Marvel skipped the convention last year due to the Hollywood strikes, which prevented writers and actors from speaking on panels.

The cast of “Captain America: Brave New World” — Giancarlo Esposito, Tim Blake Nelson, Danny Ramirez and Anthony Mackie — joined the stage first and teased details about the upcoming film. Esposito revealed that he will be playing the villain, Seth Voelker, also known as Sidewinder.

When asked about what it was like to join a Marvel project, Esposito said it was a “dream come true.

“When your dreams come true and you get the call, you walk through the door,” he continued. “I have a great deal of gratitude for all the fans who really had this dream come true, because it was fan casting that linked us together.”

The cast then stepped aside to share a scene from the movie on the big screen, which revealed that President Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, played by Ford, is hoping to rebuild the Avengers with Mackie’s Sam Wilson. It also showed Ford’s character transform into the Red Hulk.

Ford joined the panel after fans were treated to clips from the movie and flexed his muscles to the roaring crowd. He also expressed excitement over his latest role, saying, “I am delighted, and proud to become a member of the Marvel Universe.”

The cast and director of “Thunderbolts(asterisk)” also surprised fans with a short clip from the movie. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan and David Harbour (in full costume and speaking in character as the Red Guardian at first) stormed the stage and shared some more details about their characters.

The film is slated to be released in May 2025.

The final film teased at the panel was “The Fantastic Four,” starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach. The movie will begin filming on Tuesday in London, Feige said.

He said the film will hit theaters in almost exactly one year in July 2025.

Following a video director Matt Shakman created specifically for Comic-Con that featured the cast in full ’60s glory, he and Feige revealed the official title of the film, “The Fantastic Four: First Steps.”

The session included no mention of Jonathan Majors, who played the villain Kang the Conqueror and was previously a major part of Marvel’s “Avengers” plans. The actor was fired by the studio after he was convicted in December of assaulting a former girlfriend. He was sentenced to a yearlong counseling program in April and avoided jail time.

Marvel already took over Hall H on Thursday with an electric panel celebrating “Deadpool & Wolverine,” in which the audience was treated to a full screening and surprise guests joining stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman on stage.

The mounting enthusiasm for the film at Comic-Con was reflected across the country as the fans rushed to see it in theaters, securing the film as the new record holder for the Thursday preview for an R-rated movie. The comic book film sold an estimated $38.5 million worth of movie tickets from preview screenings Thursday.

The “Deadpool & Wolverine” success woke up a sleepy year for Marvel and assuaged worries about its box-office underperformance in late 2023. The superhero factory hit a record low in November with the launch of “The Marvels,” which opened with just $47 million.

Harrison Ford attends a press line for Marvel Studios during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Christy Radecic/Invision/AP)

Kevin Feige, from left, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Vanessa Kirby, and Pedro Pascal attend a panel for Marvel Studios during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Joseph Quinn, from left, Vanessa Kirby, and Pedro Pascal attend a panel for Marvel Studios during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Singers perform during a panel for Marvel Studios during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Kevin Feige, from left, Tim Blake Nelson, Danny Ramirez, Giancarlo Esposito, and Anthony Mackie attend a panel for Marvel Studios during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Tim Blake Nelson, from left, Danny Ramirez, Giancarlo Esposito, and Anthony Mackie attend a panel for Marvel Studios during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

David Harbour attends a panel for Marvel Studios during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Rob Delaney, from left, Kevin Feige, Harrison Ford, Tim Blake Nelson, Danny Ramirez, Giancarlo Esposito, and Anthony Mackie attend a panel for Marvel Studios during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Robert Downey Jr. attends a panel for Marvel Studios during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Joe Russo, from left, Anthony Russo, and Kevin Feige attend a panel for Marvel Studios during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Florence Pugh attends a panel for Marvel Studios during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Kevin Feige, from left, Joe Russo, Robert Downey Jr., and Anthony Russo attend a panel for Marvel Studios during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Kevin Feige, from left, Joe Russo, Robert Downey Jr., and Anthony Russo attend a panel for Marvel Studios during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Harrison Ford attends a press line for "Marvel Studios" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Christy Radecic/Invision/AP)

Kevin Feige, from left, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Vanessa Kirby, and Pedro Pascal attend a panel for "Marvel Studios" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Joseph Quinn, from left, Vanessa Kirby, and Pedro Pascal attend a panel for "Marvel Studios" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Singers perform during a panel for "Marvel Studios" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Kevin Feige, from left, Tim Blake Nelson, Danny Ramirez, Giancarlo Esposito, and Anthony Mackie attend a panel for "Marvel Studios" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Tim Blake Nelson, from left, Danny Ramirez, Giancarlo Esposito, and Anthony Mackie attend a panel for "Marvel Studios" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

David Harbour attends a panel for "Marvel Studios" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Rob Delaney, from left, Kevin Feige, Harrison Ford, Tim Blake Nelson, Danny Ramirez, Giancarlo Esposito, and Anthony Mackie attend a panel for "Marvel Studios" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Robert Downey Jr. attends a panel for "Marvel Studios" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Joe Russo, from left, Anthony Russo, and Kevin Feige attend a panel for "Marvel Studios" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Florence Pugh attends a panel for "Marvel Studios" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Kevin Feige, from left, Joe Russo, Robert Downey Jr., and Anthony Russo attend a panel for "Marvel Studios" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Kevin Feige, from left, Joe Russo, Robert Downey Jr., and Anthony Russo attend a panel for "Marvel Studios" during Comic-Con International on Saturday, July 27, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Mikki Hansen of Copenhagen, Denmark, dressed as Thor, attends Comic-Con International on Friday, July 26, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Christy Radecic/Invision/AP)

Brian Swanson, dressed as "Iron Spider," left, and Lincoln Swanson dressed as "Iron Man with Venom," of Nashville, Tenn. attend Comic-Con International on Friday, July 26, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Christy Radecic/Invision/AP)

Jesus Rodriquez dressed as Deadpool poses at Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Fans pose for photos at a Marvel cardboard cutout at Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

A fan dressed as Wolverine poses at Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in San Diego. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

An attendee takes a picture of an illustrated wall of Marvel superhero characters during preview night for Comic-Con International, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

NEW YORK (AP) — Fresh off another October blowout, Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers are one win from the World Series.

Ohtani hit a leadoff homer and scored four times, Mookie Betts also went deep and drove in four runs, and the Dodgers routed the New York Mets 10-2 on Thursday night for a 3-1 lead in their lopsided National League Championship Series.

“I love the way that our guys haven’t let off the gas,” manager Dave Roberts said. “We don’t want to give these guys any momentum.”

Betts had a two-run homer and a two-run double among his four hits. Max Muncy extended his streak of reaching base safely to 12 plate appearances, a postseason record, and the Dodgers closed in on their 25th pennant — most in NL history.

“You just ride those emotions,” Betts said. “I’ve tried to stay even-keeled and all those things. At a time like this, that doesn’t really work, so you’ve just got to jump on the rollercoaster and enjoy the ride.”

Game 5 is Friday at Citi Field, with Jack Flaherty scheduled to pitch for Los Angeles looking to put his hometown team in the World Series.

David Peterson will make his first playoff start for New York after pitching well out of the bullpen this postseason.

“Peterson is fully rested. Last time he pitched was four days ago. So I’m anticipating him making a regular start,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said, adding that starter Kodai Senga will be available out of the bullpen.

Surprise cleanup batter Tommy Edman had three RBIs, including a tiebreaking double off starter Jose Quintana with two outs in the third inning. Kiké Hernández followed with an RBI single that made it 3-1.

Betts broke open the game, greeting reliever Jose Buttó with a two-run double in the fourth and then right-hander Phil Maton with a two-run homer in the sixth.

Both big hits followed walks to Ohtani, handed three straight free passes after homering on consecutive swings going back to Game 3.

“I just know there was a stretch there for like, two or three at-bats, I don’t think he even saw a pitch remotely close, which I understand. But it’s going to be tough to just walk him all the time,” Betts said. “We’ll see. If they want to continue to do it, that’s OK. I just need to make sure I take care of my job and the guys behind us.”

Ohtani pointed toward the Dodgers dugout when he connected. The $700 million superstar said All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, who sat out with an ankle injury, had spoken to him before the game.

“Freddie talked to me to make sure that I joined the party earlier than later,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “So I was able to do that this time in my first at-bat.”

Betts, who began the night hitting .200 this postseason, gave a huge fist pump between second and third as he rounded the bases following his third homer of the playoffs.

Mark Vientos provided a rare highlight for New York, hitting his fourth postseason homer in the first inning off $325 million rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

But the Mets, who were 14-2 in their past 16 games at Citi Field when they arrived back home Wednesday, were blown out on their own turf for the second successive night.

New York has been outscored 30-9 in the series, including 9-0 in the opener and 8-0 in Game 3.

“You’ve got to give those guys credit. That’s a deep lineup,” Mendoza said. “And whether (our starters) are feeling it or not, we haven’t executed and we haven’t got length from them.”

The latest flop after a thrilling comeback ride this far into October hushed a sellout crowd of 43,882 and left Citi Field eerily quiet in the late innings — and just about as empty as April.

“If we come back from this, then it’s going to be a heck of a story," outfielder Brandon Nimmo said.

Evan Phillips earned the win with 1 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of Yamamoto.

Trailing 7-2, the staggering Mets had a chance to get back in the game when they loaded the bases with nobody out in the sixth. But then Phillips got two outs and Blake Treinen retired pinch-hitter Jesse Winker on a fly to the right-field warning track.

“I sort of like the us-against-the-world attitude that our guys have sort of taken on. I think that’s kind of ironic with the Dodgers, but I like that,” Roberts said.

“Once we win five more games, then I’ll be much happier. But yeah, I’m very excited to be in this position. And I just want to keep our guys hungry and focused and not let these guys back in the series."

TRAINER’S ROOM

Dodgers: Freeman missed his second game of the playoffs. He has been playing with a badly sprained and swollen right ankle throughout the postseason.

Mets: Slumping catcher Francisco Alvarez hobbled to first base in pain after getting drilled by Yamamoto's 91 mph sinker to begin the fifth. He was pulled for a pinch hitter with the bases loaded in the sixth.

UP NEXT

Acquired from Detroit at the July 30 trade deadline, Flaherty went 6-2 with a 3.58 ERA in 10 regular-season starts for the Dodgers and finished 13-7 with a 3.17 ERA overall. He allowed two hits over seven innings to win the NLCS opener 9-0.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

A New York Mets fan watches during their loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

New York Mets fans watches during their loss against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets watch during the ninth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Jesse Winker reacts after flying out against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the sixth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani scores past New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez on a double by Mookie Betts during the fourth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani scores past New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez on a double by Mookie Betts during the fourth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani reacts after getting hit with a foul ball during the eighth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series against the New York Mets, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani breaks his bat and grounds out against the New York Mets during the seventh inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani celebrates after scoring on Mookie Betts two-run home run against the New York Mets during the sixth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the dugout after scoring on a double by Mookie Betts during the fourth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series against the New York Mets, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts celebrates after a two run double against the New York Mets during the fourth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts hits a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the sixth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts celebrates after a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the sixth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts celebrates after a two-run home run against the New York Mets during the sixth inning in Game 4 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)